We can beat Aussies at their home: Malik

Karachi:

Prolific batsman Shoaib Malik said that world champions Australia are no longer invincible after the retirement of "great players" so Pakistan can beat them in their own den in the upcoming Test series.

"I am quiet confident we can beat them because there is no doubt Australia have become weakened after the retirements of great players like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer "This is visible from their performances since last year and I think Pakistan has its best chance to beat them for the first time in a Test series in their own backyard," Malik said during a TV talk show before the team left for Abu Dhabi to play their one-day series against New Zealand.

After next month's battle against the Kiwis, Pakistan will travel to Australia in December for the Test and one-day series.

Malik also felt Pakistan would emerge a much improved side after their tour to Australia because of the exposure players would get by playing in tough conditions.

"When India came to Pakistan in 2004 after touring Australia they were a changed side and this showed in their attitude. Similarly when we went to India in 2005 after having been to Australia we were a much improved side with more self-belief in ourselves," he said.

The all-rounder said beating Australia in a Test series on their own grounds was a burning ambition for him.

"If we can achieve this I would be the happiest man because it would be a big moment of my cricket career," Malik said.

He also made it clear that there were no differences in the Pakistan team now, the players back skipper Younus Khan and this would show in the coming series against New Zealand and Australia.

Malik, 27, is also keen to improve upon his Test record.

"Definitely I want to improve my record in Test cricket because that is the real challenge. I want to bring it at par with my performances in one-day matches. The coming series represent a big challenge for me to do this," Malik, who has played just 26 Tests compared to his 185 one-dayers, said.

Malik said that doing well against arch-rivals India has always brought more benefits for a player.

"It is not that I have only performed well against India but such is the intensity of our matches that if you do well in an Indo-Pak match people tend to remember it for a long time and also appreciate you more for it."

Malik said that he had enjoyed scoring a century against India in the Champions Trophy but he would not say it was his best innings.